Prophylactic antibiotics in the prevention of catheter-associated bloodstream bacterial infection in preterm neonates: a systematic review

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of prophylactic antibiotics in preventing infection associated with central venous catheters in preterm neonates. Study Design: The search strategy of the Cochrane Neonatal Review Group was used. The following databases were searched: Medline, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL and EMBASE. In addition, we hand-searched abstracts of Pediatric Academic Societies annual meetings published in Pediatric Research (1990 to July 2007) and Canadian Pediatric Society annual meeting proceedings (1990 to July 2007). No language restrictions were applied. Included were randomized controlled trials of antibiotics given prophylactically to prevent infection in preterm infants (